This has been an interesting thread. I refer the readers to my previous statement about how flexible this engine/tranny is.
I think isolated claims on mileage and all are pretty useless as the technology has placed a lot of the load on the driver. That is to say the old engines pretty much got what they would get...how you drove, other than agonizingly slow did little to help the efficiency.
My case in point would be the MDS on Dodge which I desperately wanted on my 3/4 ton hemi and Dodge in its infinite wisdom used 3/4 ton driver's input to go cheap and not offer it claiming it wouldn't help. Well yes it does if you live in hilly or mountanous terrain...it just takes a certain amount of hp to go up hill but MDS when used by a concientious driver can help a bunch...and VVT is not a little improvement...it is profound...if the driver uses it to cut down on his acceleration "times" less time to speed = less fuel in the long run.
Like wise with this Ford prodigy. If you are just going to go out and stomp it from light to light, or be like some guys I ride with who never use the speed control and constantly vary there throttle input (and then wonder why their mileage sucks...hmmm must have gotten another lemon) then you won't know what people can get with just a little skill.
Add in the guys who will feel its their God given duty to post BS numbers just because they hate one particular make of pickup and you will begin to see why crabs never get out of the box.
Then we got the incredible number of guys who can't come to a stop before they throw their tranny in the other direction and we will have to hear how the trannys are lemons. It never ends.
But I will say this, as the computers get better the better they will be able to tell what the owner did...then come warranty time when you come in whining about your tranny or whatever they are going to run its history, yes they do now but still not that sophisticated, and good luck to you when they note you are NEVER stopped before changing direction and that you stomp it every time...even with a heavy load.
So wouldn't it be nice if these blogs could be kept to seasoned good drivers that respect machinery for the wonderful invention and labor saving devices they represent.
Super chipping, and aftermods should be on a seperate thread. They void warranties and engine life...but man can they be fun
